Wedding Cost Calculator
Two ways to plan: estimate what your wedding will cost — or start from a fixed budget and see how to split it. All figures are planning estimates, not vendor quotes.
Region
Wedding style
Estimated total wedding cost
$47,830
Budget allocation
$35,000
Standard percentage model — adjust to your priorities
Estimate, not a quote. Results are based on 2026 US survey averages and the standard category split (see our methodology). Real vendor prices vary by city, season, and date. Collect real quotes before booking.
How the estimate works
Catering and bar costs scale almost linearly with guest count, which makes them the best anchor for an estimate. We start from an estimated catering cost per guest for your region, multiply by your style level, and then project the full budget using the industry-standard category split (catering ≈ 23% of the total). Learn more in our budget breakdown guide and 2026 average cost guide.
Tips to bring the number down
- Trim the guest list. Every 10 guests you cut saves roughly $3,000–$5,000 at typical prices.
- Go off-peak. Friday or Sunday weddings, and winter dates, often come with meaningful venue discounts.
- Pick two priorities. Spend on what you'll remember (often photos and food), and keep the rest simple.
- Keep the 4% contingency. Almost every wedding has a surprise cost — plan for it now.